hosted by Ben Darwish

(ticketed through Cascade Tickets)

featuring The Damian Erskine Project

Bassist/Composer Damian Erskine has released what promises
to be one of the most exciting recordings of 2010. The CD, titled So to Speak, is the most recent release
from this master bassist from the West Coast. If the last name rings a bell, it
should: Damian is the nephew of legendary jazz drummer Peter Erskine, to which
he credits much of his influence and musical path. Damian spent much time on
the road as a young man with Uncle Peter, and had a front row seat to many
masters of the bass to which he credits his love for the instrument. The new recording
features eight new original Erskine compositions. From the powerful opening
track "Inside Out" to the rhythmic tour de force titled "Kaluanui," Erskine
does not disappoint. One listen to his bass technique and approach on the track
titled "Light" and you will be hooked. Erskine is a master of his craft. If you
love the legends of the bass guitar, sit back and take in the next generation -
Here he is!

"Damian has such a
refreshing and individual bass style. I thought of Jaco, Linley Marthe, Richard
Bona and others but he certainly has his own voice and is someone who, make no
mistake, it's time you checked out. But this is not just a record for bassists.
This is simply a great record." - NoTreble.Com

While not touring, Damian hones his chops with some of the
best jazz and Latin musicians the West coast has to offer. Damian is known for
his ability to fit into any musical situation and his extraordinary reading and
improvising skills. Damian has played in the studio or on the stage with the
likes of • Peter Erskine • Teri-Lynn Carrington • Gino Vannelli • John Ellis •
Shawn Pelton • Sveti w/ Marko Djordjevic • Luis Conte • Brandon Ross • Les
McCann • Jeff Lorber • Vardan Ovsepian • Charmaine Neville • Jessy J • Luis
Perdomo • Tony Furtado • Kate Schutt • Bobby Torres • Alan Jones • Patrick Lamb
• Dan Balmer • Klezmocracy and many others as well as being featured on the
GospelChops.com Shed Sessionz Vol. 1
DVD. Whether playing as a sideman or with his own group, he is known for his
rock solid bass work, virtuosic solos and thoughtful chordal abilities.

Ben
Darwish

In 2003, he won the Jazz
Society of Oregon Young Musician scholarship. He was the winner of the 2008
Downbeat Award for Outstanding Big Band Performance. His second Trio
album, "Ode To Consumerism", was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2010
Portland Music Awards, the only jazz album in its category. In late 2009,
the Ben Darwish Group was invited to audition at Jazz At Lincoln Center for the
Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad program. Although they weren't chosen
as finalists, Darwish used this experience to develop an educational
presentation on the history of Jazz that he will be presenting in several
schools in the Portland area. Most recently, he was the winner of the 2010
ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award for his composition "Under The Bright Red Sky".

(ticketed through Cascade Tickets)

McMenamins is switching ticket companies! Tickets for all ticketed McMenamins events put on sale on or after December 16, 2010, are available through Cascade Tickets, not Ticketmaster. Shows that went on sale before December 16 will remain on Ticketmaster all the way to the day of show.